New Flint judge learning the ropes

Jane Hale | The Flint JournalFlint District Court Judge Tracy Collier-Nix, 57, has settled into her new role since being appointed in December by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

FLINT -- Tracy Collier-Nix started her new job as Flint District Court Judge in December and is starting to get used to the role.

Sonya McLaurin viewed it as a good sign when Collier-Nix called her into her chambers shortly after taking the bench.

The new judge wanted McLaurin and her staff to know how she planned to run her courtroom and what she expected from them, said McLaurin, director of the victim's advocate unit of the city attorney's office.

• Background: Former director of the Flint Civil Service Commission, former affirmative action director for Genesee County, former managing attorney with UAW-General Motors Legal Services.

• Education: 1968 graduate of Flint Northern High School, psychology degree from the University of Michigan, law degree from Wayne State University.

• Personal: Divorced; son, Noel Nix.

"That did a lot for me and my staff," McLaurin said. "That was like a breath of fresh air. It lets me know what she would tolerate. It lets me know that we can count on her."

Collier-Nix, 57, who was appointed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm to serve the unexpired term of former Flint District Judge Michael D. McAra, seems to have settled easily into her new role, observers said.

The new judge runs her courtroom with a firm but respectful hand, keeping lawyers and spectators in line without offending them, they said. AndNor has she hasn't wilted under pressure, they added.